By Michael AMAJAMA
All seems not to be smooth for Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections as his zone of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Sunday endorsed President Bola Tinubu without mentioning him as part of the ticket.
A North-east zonal APC stakeholders meeting Gombe saw the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Mustapha Salihu, the national vice chairman of the party in the zone, refusing to endorse Shettima for a second term.
The drama intensified after the two top party officials refused to endorse Mr Shettima for re-nomination as President Tinubu’s running mate.
The Gombe meeting was to review the party’s prospects and also endorse their son, Shettima, for a second term alongside President Tinubu.
The Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni, called the meeting amid speculation of a plot against Shettima’s retention on the ticket.
According to a Daily Trust newspaper report, Messrs Salihu and Ganduje refused to mention Mr Shettima’s name in their speeches.
Their actions irritated some delegates at the meeting, who attempted to confront the duo as security aides escorted them to their vehicles.
The meeting was attended by virtually all ministers, lawmakers, and governors of the party from the North-east region.
However, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Bukar Dalori, endorsed both Messrs Tinubu and Shettima for reelection.
However, President Tinubu has never made a public statement that indicates a falling out with his deputy, who played a crucial role in his victory at the 2022 APC presidential primary.
Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe, and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, along with thousands of party members, attended the meeting.
The forum praised Tinubu and Shettima for their transformative leadership under the renewed hope agenda.
In his speech, Zulum highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu administration over the past two years, particularly in health, education, youth and women empowerment, revenue generation, and improving citizens’ lives.
He urged all Nigerians to support a ticket that promises unity, progress, and hope for the country.
